(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indianapolis Colts fans got their annual close look at the playing surface of Lucas Oil Stadium, as well as an early look at this fall's team.

The Colts' annual Open House allows fans the rare chance to go down to the playing surface for a game of catch, the chance to kick a field goal, or just to have a picture made atop the helmet on the 50-yard line.

Games and inflatables drew long lines of kids and grownups before they retreated to the stands to watch another rarity - an open Colts team practice.

Season-ticket holder Tracy Dierks was among those taking their kids on the field. The IUPUI professor played catch with his four-year-old son Luke for much of the time, both wearing the still ubiquitous Peyton Manning Colts' jersey.

Dierks says he still misses Peyton despite the team's success with then-rookie Andrew Luck last season, but says that's primarily because he got to meet Manning a few times as part of his job. His son disagreed, declaring "Andrew" to be his favorite player, despite the number 18 he wore - Luke said he couldn't wear his Andrew Luck number 12 jersey because "it was dirty."

The Colts also use the open house to try to sell their remaining season tickets, marking each seat in Lucas Oil Stadium that's still available. Many of the few hundred remaining seats are in the upper level, with a handful of mid-level seats still marked as available.